Section 340. Need for new service

A. No new stereotactic radiosurgery services should be approved unless:

1. The number of procedures performed with existing units in the health planning region averaged more than 350 per year in the relevant reporting period; and

2. The proposed new service will perform at least 250 procedures in the second year of operation without significantly reducing the utilization of existing providers in the health planning region.

B. Preference may be given to a project that incorporates stereotactic radiosurgery service incorporated within an existing standard radiation therapy service using a linear accelerator when an average of 8,000 procedures during the relevant reporting period and utilization of existing services in the health planning region will not be significantly reduced.

C. Preference may be given to a project that incorporates a dedicated Gamma Knife® within an existing radiation therapy service when:

1. At least 350 Gamma Knife® appropriate cases were referred out of the region in the relevant reporting period; and

2. The applicant can demonstrate that:

a. An average of 250 procedures will be preformed in the second year of operation; and

b. Utilization of existing services in the health planning region will not be significantly reduced.

D. Preference may be given to a project that incorporates non-Gamma Knife® SRS technology within an existing radiation therapy service when:

1. The unit is not part of a linear accelerator;

2. An average of 8,000 radiation procedures per year were performed by the existing radiation therapy services;

3. At least 250 procedures will be performed within the second year of operation; and

4. Utilization of existing services in the health planning region will not be significantly reduced.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 25, Issue 09, eff. February 15, 2009; Errata, 25:11 VA.R. 2018 February 2, 2009.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-102.2 of the Code of Virginia.